The Bourbon County Commission met Monday, July 6, 2026, for a meeting dominated by budget season — a possible new ambulance, requested raises in the county attorney’s office, and whether to hold the line on the revenue-neutral property-tax rate. The board also fielded pointed public comment, including an asbestos-safety claim from a former employee and a pre-suit legal notice served on the chairman, and once again put off signing the county’s comprehensive-plan contract while it works out how to pay for it.

At the top of the meeting the board revised its agenda, moving financial consultant Matt Lawn’s budget presentation earlier to accommodate his schedule, removing a Murphy Tractor training-dispute update, and dropping a statement item from Commissioner Joe Allen.

The commission approved the July 2 accounts-payable batch of $144,022.62 and, in a separate vote, approved a postage charge that had been tabled from the June 29 meeting — the courthouse “postage overage” Commissioner Mika Milburn-Kee had questioned two weeks earlier.

Redemption House roof funded from opioid settlement

Don Tucker, appearing with Redemption House live-in manager Jennifer Simhiser, returned to ask the county to help replace the aging roof on the recovery home, which has been patched repeatedly but is failing. The lowest bid the group received was about $24,000.

Milburn-Kee moved to approve $25,000 from the county’s opioid settlement fund for the roof, noting the settlement dollars are restricted and that a roof over a recovery house fits their allowed use. The motion passed unanimously.

Public comment: an asbestos claim and a legal notice

Three residents addressed the board.

Kevin Allen urged the commission to look hard at the Bourbon County Transfer Station’s finances before raising gate fees or leaning on the mill levy, arguing the operation has shed major costs — a building payment that has been retired, a fourth employee who is gone, and a lost bean contract. Because the transfer station is self-funded, he said, “rather than say, raise the gate fees … you get the money, but” the underlying costs still need scrutiny, and he pushed the board to weigh equipment financing instead.

William Jackson, the county’s former maintenance director, told the commission he had found “deteriorating insulation and damaged building materials that warranted asbestos testing” in the courthouse while on the job, and that he was terminated “within hours after raising these concerns.” He asked the county to release inspection and testing records: “If there is no hazard, prove it. Release the inspection records, show the testing, let the facts speak. … No government should ever punish anyone for asking whether a public building is safe.” (Later in the meeting, Chairman Samuel Tran said the Kansas Department of Health and Environment had inspected the building and given it a clean bill of health.)

Michael Hoyt served Chairman Tran with a notice under K.S.A. 12-105B — a required precursor to a lawsuit against a governmental official — saying Tran had declined to recognize him during the June 15 discussion of the Hidden Valley roads. At that June 15 meeting the board had adopted Resolution 23-26, reaffirming that the Hidden Valley roads in the Mound City/Mapleton area are designated for law-enforcement access only and not for county maintenance. Hoyt said the notice named Tran “in your capacity as chairman and individually” and that he would file a stamped copy with the clerk.

Budget: a possible new ambulance, attorney raises, and the revenue-neutral question

Matt Lawn of Baker Tilly, the county’s outside financial consultant, walked the board through the EMS and county attorney budgets.

On EMS, Director Teri Hulsey is holding a position vacant and projecting essentially flat wages, but the department is weighing the replacement of a 2018 ambulance (EMS-3) that is nearing the end of its service life. Commissioners discussed financing a new unit over a multi-year lease rather than buying outright, and Hulsey noted the county would have to absorb the full cost: “There’s no grants out there to purchase an ambulance. There is for equipment, but there’s not for an ambulance.”

County Attorney James Crux requested salary increases to keep his office competitive with surrounding counties, centered on raising the pay for his full-time assistant county attorney position, along with raises for legal support staff. He also asked to move the county’s SANE-kit line item (sexual-assault forensic exams) off his office budget and into the general fund.

Lawn recommended the board formally notify the county clerk of its intent to exceed the revenue-neutral rate, which preserves flexibility during budget-setting; the board can always adopt a lower rate later. Lawn cautioned that holding to revenue-neutral year after year, with rising health-insurance costs and cost-of-living adjustments, becomes “death by a thousand cuts.” A public hearing on any rate above revenue-neutral cannot occur until after the state’s notice deadline in late August.

Comprehensive-plan contract still waiting on funding

The board again declined to sign its contract with Confluence, the firm the Planning Commission — represented by Brian Ashworth II and Pete Owenby — recommended on June 15 to write the county’s first comprehensive plan and an updated zoning code. That work is tied to the development moratorium the commission adopted the same night. Confluence’s original proposal was $105,500 for the comprehensive plan plus an optional $46,500 zoning-code update; at the June 29 meeting the firm brought a “best and final” of about $116,500 by combining phases and trimming outside costs. Commissioners have said they want a funding source settled before signing.

Commissioner David Beerbower, who carries the item, said he had no funding update. With the paperwork in hand, Tran said, “this is the contract for Confluence. We need to sign it,” but agreed with colleagues that signing without the money in place was premature: “No, we don’t want to sign it yet.” The board tabled the contract for two weeks, to its July 20 meeting.

Hospital donation agreement: commission split on pressing forward

The board revisited its decision to have MSB Law examine the donation agreement and lease tied to the former county hospital building, now operated under an arrangement involving the Kansas Renewal Institute (KRI) and Freeman. Commissioner Milburn-Kee said she would prefer to pull the county’s involvement: “I would personally like to pull our involvement in this.”

Commissioners Gregg Motley, Beerbower and Allen wanted to continue. Motley argued the county has an obligation to protect local health care: “We have two entities that are losing money out there every month. … We owe it to this community to explore all options.” He pushed back on the framing that the county was headed to court: “We are not entering litigation. … What we are doing is exploring options.” Allen put it simply: “I don’t want to lose a hospital.”

Tran, while agreeing the community needs a hospital, cautioned about the county’s odds if a dispute went to court: “Historically, courts and judges don’t like it when government get involved in private entities.” Separately, Chairman Tran said he would bring the county’s forensic-audit RFP — the bids received and the firms’ scope of work — to the board on July 20.

Old business: minutes, warrant checks, audit and software

After a month of disputes over errors in the county’s minutes, the board voted to adopt the short version of its minutes going forward, which Beerbower said “provides just what is necessary by law.”

The commission approved Resolution 25-26, canceling a batch of stale, uncashed warrant checks. It tabled the Jarred Gilmore Phillips 2026 audit engagement so commissioners could compare firms, and tabled the CIC software renewal — a roughly $55,465 IT-budget item — until unused payroll and time-clock modules can be identified and stripped out.

Commissioner comments

Tran reported that KDHE had inspected the courthouse and, despite the building’s age, given it a clean bill of health. He also floated a town-hall meeting at Fort Scott Community College on July 22 at 6 p.m. to talk with residents about taxes and the budget ahead of the county’s rate decisions.

Beerbower distributed a draft policy-and-procedure manual resolution for discussion on July 20. The meeting adjourned.

Bourbon County Commission Meeting Agenda – July 6, 2026, 5:30 PM

Agenda_07.06.26.pdf (full PDF)

• I. Call Meeting to Order (Page 1)
• II. Pledge of Allegiance (Page 1)
• III. Prayer (Page 1)
• IV. Introductions (Page 1)
• V. Approval of Agenda (Page 1)
• VI. Approval of Accounts Payable (Page 1)
  • a. Accounts Payable 07.02.26 — $144,022.62 (Pages 2–17)
  • b. Postage tabled on 06.29.26 – requesting approval to pay (Page 1)
  • c. Murphy Tractor training dispute update (Page 1)
• VII. Special Appearances (Page 1)
  • a. Redemption House Roof Replacement – Tucker & Simhiser (Page 18)
• VIII. Public Comments (Page 1)
• IX. Old Business (Page 1)
  • a. Discussion of Minutes version to use (Short, Medium, or Long) (Page 1)
  • b. Resolution 25-26 Cancellation of Warrant Checks – Walker (Page 19)
  • c. Confluence Contract Approval – Use of Solar Funds – Beerbower (Pages 20–27)
  • d. Jarred Gilmore Phillips 2026 Audit Engagement (Pages 28–33)
• X. New Business (Page 1)
  • a. Budget Discussion – Milburn-Kee (Page 1)
    • i. EMS
    • ii. County Attorney
  • b. Statement & Discussion – Allen (Page 1)
  • c. CIC Renewal – Approval to pay from IT Budget $55,465 (Pages 34–36)
• XI. Future Agenda Topics (Page 1)
• XII. Commission Comments (Page 1)
• XIII. Adjournment (Page 1)

Detailed Information Packet Summary

1. Accounts Payable Bills & Invoices (Pages 2–17)

The packet includes a complete Open Invoices By Department Summary for Bourbon County with a due date of 7/2/2026, covering 77 invoices across all county departments and funds.

Batch Due 7/2/2026 — Grand Total: $144,022.62 (Pages 2–17)

• Non-Departmental / Funds Summary — $104,129.53: The largest block of expenditures spanning multiple funds. (Pages 2–5)
  • Fund 016 – Appraisers ($64.38): Verizon Wireless – Acct #00010 Environmental Wireless Service. (Page 2)
  • Fund 062 – Election ($108.24): Amazon Capital Services – Security Seals/Keyboard & Mouse. (Page 2)
  • Fund 064 – Employee Benefit ($875.00): Lucet – Quarterly Payment 7/26–9/26. (Page 2)
  • Fund 108 – Landfill ($24,628.53): 9 invoices including Foley Equipment Co. – Bearings/Alternator/Condenser Fan #15 (commodities $4,673.88 + contractual $10,450.39); Allen County Public Works – MSW 6/18–6/24/26 ($7,526.36); Foley Equipment Co. – 30″ Bucket #21 ($1,595.00); Skitch’s Hauling & Excavation – Porta Potty Rentals ($140.00); O’Reilly Auto Parts – Bungee Cords #154 ($15.87); Evergy – 2286 Noble Rd Landfill ($127.05). (Page 2)
  • Fund 120 – County Sheriff/Correctional ($2,173.35): 9 invoices including Advantage Computer Enterprises – Microsoft Office ($598.00) + Install ($85.00); Key Industries, Inc. – Uniform Shirts SEKRCC ($518.92); City of Ft Scott Utilities Dpt – 293 E 20th St SEKRCC ($279.61); Great America Financial Svcs – Kyocera Copiers ($218.44); Henry Kraft, Inc. – Cleaning Supplies ($218.38); Pest-X Solutions – Pest Control ($150.00); Pearson Sr., Arthur D – Tow/Hook Fee ($85.00); Fort Scott Rides LLC – Flat Repair ($20.00). (Page 3)
  • Fund 200 – Noxious Weed ($1,550.00): NC Foam LLC – Spray Foam Weed Barn. (Page 3)
  • Fund 220 – Road and Bridge ($2,536.00): 12 invoices including Foley Equipment Co. – Power by the Hour 5/26–6/29/26 #52 ($647.00) and 5/28–6/29/26 #35 ($464.88); Hutchinson Community College – New Miner Training ($750.00); Skitch’s Hauling & Excavation – Porta Potty Rentals Elm Creek ($280.00) + R&B ($140.00); Foley Equipment Co. – Element Assembly #35 ($91.89); Amazon Capital Services – Grease Gun/Magic Eraser/Cleaner ($23.25), 3 Ring Binders ($26.44), Coffee ($28.58); Lockwood Motor Supply – Ties ($17.89); Mayco Ace Hardware – Syringe/Hex Nuts/Carriage Screws ($27.24); Evergy – 1429 215th Shop ($38.83). (Pages 3–4)
  • Fund 222 – Road & Bridge Sales Tax Fund ($16,054.59): 9 invoices including Wright Asphalt Products Company – AC-20 24.18 Tons @ $609.00 ($14,725.62); Hutchinson Community College – New Miner Training ($750.00); Bofs, Inc – Diagnostic Test #142 ($138.75); Lockwood Motor Supply – Air Filter #192 ($106.41); Lockwood Motor Supply – Brake Chamber/Clevis Assembly #152 ($78.40); O’Reilly Auto Parts – Fuel Filters #151 ($66.84) + Fuel/Water Separator #59 ($21.34); Mayco Ace Hardware – Syringe/Hex Nuts/Carriage Screws ($27.23); Skitch’s Hauling & Excavation – Porta Potty Rentals ($140.00). (Page 4)
  • Fund 399 – Emergency Services Sales Tax ($56,139.44): Freeman Fort Scott Hospital Inc – June 2026 Emergency Services Sales Tax Allocation. (Page 4)
• County Department Operations: (Pages 5–17)
  • Dept. 02 – County Clerk ($44.47): Amazon Capital Services – Planner/Expandable File Pockets (General Fund). (Page 6)
  • Dept. 04 – County Attorney ($9,500.00): 3 invoices – Clifford Wayne Lee, Assistant County Attorney Monthly Rate ($3,500.00); Matthew Bonner, Assistant County Attorney Monthly Rate ($3,500.00); Meeks, Justin, Assistant County Attorney Monthly Rate ($2,500.00). All July 2026. (Page 7)
  • Dept. 08 – County Coroner ($300.00): Cheney Witt Memorial Chapel, Inc. – Removal & Hold Body for Coroner (06/23/26). (Page 8)
  • Dept. 10 – District Court ($10,875.00): 5 invoices – Gilbert Ernest Gregory – July CINC/C/DM/Misd TR/JV Contract ($4,600.00); Domoney & Domoney – July CINC Contract ($2,000.00); Terra Baseley Law Office LLC – Terra, July Misd/TR/JV Contract ($2,100.00); Josh Baseley Law Office LLC – Josh, July CINC Contract ($1,900.00); Smart Sales LLC dba Smartox – Drug Test Supplies ($275.00). (Page 9)
  • Dept. 11 – Emergency Preparedness ($1,645.57): Stronghold Data LLC – Replacement PC ($1,205.46); Craw-Kan Telephone Co. – Emergency Management Cable Service ($165.11); KEMA Riley County Emergency Mgmt. – KEMA Conference ($275.00). (Page 10)
  • Dept. 15 – IT ($849.00): KANREN, Inc. – Membership/Admin Fee 7.1.25–6.30.26. (Page 11)
  • Dept. 24 – Ambulance Service ($2,424.35): 9 invoices – Craw-Kan Telephone Co. – EMS Cable/Fax Service ($394.47); Galen C Bigelow, Jr. – Toner EMS ($509.50 + $75.50); Morris & Dickson Co. LLC – Medication ($711.94); Evergy – 405 Woodland Hills Blvd ($472.56); Verizon Wireless – Acct #00007 EMS Wireless Service ($144.40); Kirkland Welding Supplies – Oxygen ($43.00); Durossette’s Tire Service – Tire Repair ($25.00); O’Reilly Auto Parts – Wiper Blades ($47.98). (Page 12)
  • Dept. 32 – Soil Conservation District ($6,250.00): Bourbon County Conservation – 3rd Quarter Appropriation. (Page 13)
  • Dept. 33 – Services for Elderly ($4,050.00): SEK Area Agency on Aging, Inc. – Monthly Appropriation ($1,900.00); Meals on Wheels – Monthly Appropriation ($2,150.00). Both July 2026. (Page 14)
  • Dept. 43 – Courthouse General ($3,954.70): 7 invoices – Craw-Kan Telephone Co. – Courthouse Phone/Internet/Fax ($2,710.80); Cintas Corporation Loc. 459 – Cleaning Products ($210.25) + Cleaning Services ($123.12); Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce – Chamber Membership ($570.00); City of Ft Scott Utilities Dpt – 210 S National Ave ($245.53); City of Ft Scott Utilities Dpt – 108 W 2nd ($64.43); Evergy – Street Lights ($30.57). (Pages 15–16)

2. Redemption House Roof Replacement – Financial Summary (Page 18)

A financial worksheet summarizing Redemption House expenditures from the Addiction Settlement Fund (Fund 387) was included as a special appearance supporting document for Tucker & Simhiser’s presentation.

• 2025 Allocation: $50,000.00. Expenditures to date include Vehicle/Tag/Insurance ($32,356.33) and nine mileage reimbursements totaling $2,401.29. As of 05/31/26, remaining from 2025 allocation: $15,242.38. (Page 18)
• Current Cash Balance (Fund 387 – Addiction Settlement Fund): $71,073.28. After deducting the 2025 allocation remaining ($15,242.38) and the Roof Repair Remaining ($25,000.00), the projected balance is $30,830.90. (Page 18)
• Fund 387 Totals: Beginning balance $69,322.60; receipts $3,171.27; expenditures ($1,420.59); current balance $71,073.28. (Page 18)

3. Resolution 25-26 – Cancellation of Warrant Checks (Page 19)

Resolution 25-26 authorizes the County Clerk to cancel unclaimed warrants/checks older than three years, per K.S.A. 19-320, totaling $8,216.36 across 20 items.

• Legal Basis: K.S.A. 19-320 — county warrants unclaimed for three years from date of issue must be returned and canceled by the Board of County Commissioners. (Page 19)
• Resolution Date: June 22, 2026. (Page 19)
• Total to be Canceled: $8,216.36. (Page 19)
• Check List: (Page 19)
  • 517682 – 07/15/22 – Ashcraft Pest Control – $50.00
  • 518007 – 08/12/22 – Meaghan Russel – $182.32
  • 518196 – 09/09/22 – Hartmetz, Vicki – $225.00
  • 518311 – 09/23/22 – Indeed – $168.00
  • 518367 – 09/23/22 – Ziprecruiter, Inc – $1,120.00
  • 518681 – 11/04/22 – Sound Physican – $90.35
  • 519054 – 12/30/22 – Community Health Center of SEK – $17.48
  • 519208 – 01/13/23 – Director of Accounts & Reports – $175.00
  • 519313 – 02/10/23 – Bluemark Energy – $2,528.99
  • 519371 – 02/10/23 – Mid-State Organized Crime – $150.00
  • 519398 – 02/17/23 – Bryce Sandstone – $13.00
  • 519403 – 02/17/23 – Craw-Kan – $1,340.91
  • 519600 – 03/17/23 – Kansas District Magistrate Judges Assoc. – $200.00
  • 519666 – 03/24/23 – Kansas Alcoholic Beverage Control – $50.00
  • 519680 – 03/24/23 – Legacy Healthcare – $1,579.19
  • 519875 – 04/21/23 – Community Health Center of SEK – $144.37
  • 520271 – 06/16/23 – Community Health Center of SEK – $43.61
  • 520304 – 06/16/23 – Kansas Association of Counties – $32.59
  • Payroll Wire – 05/20/22 – Aubrey Hawpe – $0.70
  • Payroll Wire – 10/07/22 – Shelton, Ashley – $104.85

4. Confluence Planning Services Agreement – Comprehensive Plan & Zoning Code (Pages 20–27)

A Planning Services Agreement between Bourbon County, Kansas and Confluence, Inc. (Des Moines, IA) for the creation of a new Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code Regulations, dated June 25, 2026, funded with Solar Funds.

• Consultant: Confluence, Inc., 525 17th Street, Des Moines, IA 50309. Principal: Christopher Shires, AICP. (Page 20)
• Scope of Services – Four Phases: (Pages 20–24)
  • Phase 1: Project Research + Analysis (approx. 2 months) — Kick-off meeting, existing conditions review & analysis, analysis review meeting with Planning Commission.
  • Phase 2: Vision, Input and Direction (approx. 2 months) — Online engagement/survey, stakeholder interviews (2 days virtual), public input workshop (1 in-person), input review with Planning Commission (1 in-person).
  • Phase 3: Draft Plan + Zoning Code (approx. 6 months) — Draft Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code, three Planning Commission review sessions (in-person), one Draft Plan Open House (in-person), joint workshop with County Commission and Planning Commission (in-person). Zoning Code will focus on wind/solar energy, battery storage, datacenters, and other areas. Zoning Map in ArcGIS format.
  • Phase 4: Final Draft Plan and Code + Adoption (approx. 2 months) — Final draft plan, Planning Commission public hearing (in-person), County Commission public hearing (in-person).
• Total Fee Proposal: $116,500 (Page 24)
  • Phase 1: $10,250
  • Phase 2: $19,250
  • Phase 3: $68,000
  • Phase 4: $14,000
  • Reimbursable Expenses (not to exceed): $5,000
• Schedule: Approximately 12 months to complete upon County’s notice to proceed. (Page 24)
• Payment Terms: Monthly billing based on percentage completion of each phase; payment due within 30 days of invoice date. (Page 24)
• Key Contract Provisions: Governing law – State of Kansas; Professional Liability Insurance minimum $1,000,000 annual aggregate; deliverables in PDF, Word, and ESRI ArcGIS formats; Exhibit A standard hourly rates attached (effective 1/1/2026, Senior Principal $175–$275/hr through Clerical/System Staff $75–$135/hr). (Pages 25–27)

5. Jarred Gilmore Phillips 2026 Audit Engagement Letter (Pages 28–33)

An audit engagement letter dated May 4, 2026 from Jarred, Gilmore & Phillips, PA (Certified Public Accountants) to the Bourbon County Board of County Commissioners for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2026.

• Audit Scope: Financial statement audit of Bourbon County for year ended December 31, 2026, on a regulatory basis of accounting (K.S.A. 75-1120a(c) waiver by resolution). Supplementary information to be audited: (1) Summary of Expenditures – Actual and Budget – Regulatory Basis; (2) Schedule of Receipts and Expenditures – Actual and Budget – Regulatory Basis; (3) Summary of Receipts and Disbursements – Agency Funds – Regulatory Basis. (Page 28)
• Engagement Partner: Neil L. Phillips, CPA. (Page 31)
• Fees: Not to exceed $29,500.00 (includes travel and out-of-pocket costs). If Federal expenditures exceed $1,000,000.00, a Single Audit may be required at an estimated additional fee of $2,900.00. Invoices rendered monthly as work progresses. (Page 32)
• Significant Audit Risks Identified: (1) Management override of controls; (2) Improper revenue recognition. (Page 30)
• Dispute Resolution: Disputes submitted to mediation; no suit or arbitration until at least 60 days after mediator’s first meeting. Venue and jurisdiction: State of Kansas. (Page 32)

6. CIC (Computer Information Concepts) Annual Peopleware Agreement Renewal (Pages 34–36)

A renewal letter and invoice for Bourbon County’s Annual Peopleware Agreement with Computer Information Concepts, Inc. (CIC), Greeley, CO. The Commission is asked to approve payment of $55,465.00 from the IT Budget.

• Renewal Letter Date: June 26, 2026. Signed by Melayna R. Clark-Rael. (Page 34)
• Invoice: PSI42577, Invoice Date 8/1/2026, Due Date 8/1/2026, Agreement Period: August 1, 2026 – July 31, 2027. (Pages 35–36)
• Total Invoice Amount: $55,465.00 (Page 36)
• Key Line Items (Lease/License): (Page 35)
  • CIC Cloud – Remote Backup/Disaster Lease 280GB: $6,860.00
  • CIC Cloud – Web Site Hosting Lease 40GB: $2,770.00
  • Budgetary/Fund Accounting: $7,610.00
  • Tax Administration Solution: $11,700.00
  • Records Management/Imaging: $3,395.00
  • Payroll/Personnel: $3,510.00
  • Indexing/Imaging – Unlimited Seats: $1,905.00
  • Department Portal – Appraiser: $880.00; Department Portal – Treasurer: $880.00
  • E-Recording Acceptance: $660.00
  • INSTANT Sharing – 17 Seats: $930.00
  • KEYWORD Indexing – Unlimited Seats: $1,050.00
  • Time Clock Plus v7 Professional Edition: $1,565.00
  • Public Works System: $690.00; Remote Access/Printing: $590.00
  • Custom Program – Department Portal Appraiser: $235.00; Custom Programming – Real Estate Information: $120.00; Custom Programming – Agricultural Land Inventory: $120.00
• Key Support Line Items: (Page 36)
  • Tax Administration Solution Support: $3,830.00
  • Budgetary/Fund Accounting Support: $1,660.00
  • County File Server(s) Hardware Support (prorated 04/01/2027–07/31/2027): $840.00
  • Payroll/Personnel Support: $895.00; Records Management/Imaging Support: $370.00
  • CIC Cloud – Remote Backup/Disaster Support 280GB: $690.00; CIC Cloud – Web Site Hosting Support 40GB: $280.00

The Bourbon County Commission met Monday, June 29, 2026, with a Public Works budget work session scheduled to follow. With out-of-town guests waiting and the work session ahead, the board trimmed its agenda at the top — tabling several items, including the Jarred Gilmore Phillips audit engagement, an American flag purchase, a resolution-adoption procedure, Resolution 25-26 on canceling warrant checks, and Heartland business-license billing — and added an economic-development update, a Chamber of Commerce item, and an executive session for non-elected personnel.

Comprehensive plan: firm in place, funding unresolved

Planning Commission representative Brian Ashworth presented the “best and final” offer from Confluence, the firm the board selected on June 15 to write the county’s comprehensive plan and zoning code. Confluence lowered its price from $152,000 to $116,500 by combining the end of the planning phase with the start of zoning, trimming public-engagement sessions, and removing outside legal-review fees (items that can be added back later by change order).

The commission did not sign the agreement, opting first to settle how to pay for it. Chairman Samuel Tran favored signing immediately, noting the contract can be terminated at any time with the county paying only for work already done: “I say, let me sign it just so we can get the wheel moving, because in the end we can cancel if we haven’t done anything, right?” Commissioner Gregg Motley pushed back: “I would prefer to know how we’re going to pay for it first.”

The commission voted to add a resolution for payment after the public comments portion of the meeting.

With the county’s financial advisers from Baker Tilly at the table, commissioners weighed several funding sources for the project, which is not in the current budget:

• Inmate-reimbursement fees — Commissioner Mika Milburn-Kee believed about $150,000 was available, but Baker Tilly’s Ben Hart corrected the figure to roughly $50,000 and advised against using it, because the fund reimburses the sheriff’s inmate-housing costs (about $320,000 a year) and helps keep that office under budget.
• FEMA funds — Commissioner David Beerbower said about $600,000 is available but should go to Public Works.
• Solar-agreement money — Beerbower asked outside counsel to report on possible funds tied to the Tennyson Creek and Hinton Creek solar agreements.
• Year-end budget savings — Hart suggested pooling unspent money from across departments (unfilled positions, unbought commodities) as a one-time source.

Commissioner Joe Allen said, “I don’t want to touch the sheriff’s funds. I really think that FEMA money should go back to Public Works also.”  He expressed the need to be creative in finding the funding.

Motley agreed with Allen and Beerbower about not touching the sheriff’s money or the FEMA money. He also mentioned that situations like this are why it’s important for the county to carry cash reserves.

Tran asked the advisers to “please, find us the money somewhere.” He expressed concern that the money be found and encumbered  so that it cannot be spent elsewhere. Hart agreed that has been the county’s history. He also applauded a funding resolution as a step that puts everyone on the same page.

Baker Tilly is expected to bring year-to-date figures and a forecast back to the board at its next meeting, and Beerbower expects an update on the solar money from outside counsel.

Accounts payable, financials and minutes

The commission approved both accounts-payable batches — $83,374.82 (June 18) and $453,809.91 (June 26) — but pulled a single postage line of about $3,011 pending an explanation and invoice, after Milburn-Kee questioned why a “postage overage” charge was being billed to the courthouse general fund rather than a department budget. The board also approved the May 2026 financials and the minutes for the June 15, May 11 (revised) and April 13 (revised) meetings.

Public comments

Al Neese updated the board on a local museum group’s plans for the downtown depot and its interest in the Moody building, announcing the group had been gifted a “Katie Caboose” from Houston that morning, with the pad poured and track work expected soon.

Don Tucker, along with Jennifer Simhiser, live-in manager at Redemption House, asked the county to use Opioid Settlement Fund money to replace the Redemption House roof, which has a hole causing water damage; three companies recommended full replacement. The lowest bid they got for a new roof is $24,000. The roof has been patched, but it is 30 years old and cannot withstand more patching.

Commissioners were unsure how much opioid money remained after an earlier transportation expense and questioned whether the bid covered needed roof decking. A motion by Beerbower to fund the roof did not carry, but Tran said they would add it to the next week’s agenda, when they have “the hard numbers” to work with to determine how much money is available in the opioid fund to help with the need.

Juvenile detention

Commissioner Allen reported on a Southeast Kansas juvenile-detention meeting, where the recommendation was to stay one more year with the facility in Girard and recruit other counties to share costs, while Sheriff Bill Martin favors switching to a pay-as-you-go arrangement with Johnson County. With a contract deadline of July 1, commissioners were split between staying with Girard, and moving to a pay-as-you-go arrangement with Johnson County.

Motley agreed with Allen’s recommendation. Beerbower agreed with the sheriff’s recommendation. Milburn-Kee asked that Allen “get out there and talk to other counties and do some recruiting” to get them to join in membership with the Girard facility, bringing the costs down for Bourbon County.

Beerbower said that by following the suggestions of waiting a year, the commission is continuing the pattern of kicking the can down the road and not dealing with the issue. “We’re paying for something that we’re not getting the value of our money for,” he said.

A representative from the sheriff’s office said they need to terminate the contract to save money: “Based on what I know from the sheriff being there, we do not want that contract.”

Tran expressed his opinion of NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations), saying they often raise prices and reduce what they deliver over time. He said that if the county doesn’t terminate the agreement with the juvenile facility at Girard, it will be obligated to them for 2027, as well as the rest of 2026. He suggested banking the money that may be needed to send juveniles to Johnson County, rather than, “to pay for a buffet that you’re not eating from…to me it’s a no-brainer that we should go ahead and pull out of that and use our money the way we want to use it and not be stuck to something that really doesn’t fit our needs.”

Tran moved to notify Southeast Kansas that the county would not continue, Beerbower seconded. Milburn-Kee suggested it was a gamble to forfeit the county’s position at the Girard facility.

Tran called for a vote. The motion did not carry. Beerbower and Tran voted for it, but Allen, Milburn-Kee, and Motley voted against, so the county’s membership at Girard will continue at least until summer of 2027.

Other action

• Chamber of Commerce — the commission approved renewing its Chamber of Commerce membership for another year.
• Jayhawk bridge — the board signed a previously approved engineering contract for the Jayhawk Road bridge (which requires a geological study before fall construction), recommending PEC for the work.
• Executive sessions — the commission held two closed sessions on the performance of non-elected personnel under K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1) and reported no action out of either.

Looking ahead

Future agenda items include the Redemption House roof, an update from outside counsel on solar money, a discussion of commissioner job descriptions, and the budget. A Public Works budget work session followed the meeting; among the items discussed was a requested $75,068 increase to the landfill budget tied to staffing, fuel and disposal costs. Baker Tilly recommended the board adopt the authority to exceed the revenue-neutral tax rate at an upcoming meeting (a cap, not a commitment), with a second-quarter forecast expected later in July. Current figures for revenue neutral would lower the mill.

Agenda: Agenda summary for the June 29, 2026 meeting (full agenda packet PDF).

Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Report – June 30, 2026

Arrested

Nuss, Theron Joseph (Age 45) — Arrested 6/29/2026 11:54 AM by Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office. Charges: Possess Opiates/Opium/Narc Drug and Certain Stim, Use/Poss Drug Paraphernalia/Human Body. Bond: $0.00 No Bond.

Released

Burns, Randy Dale — Released 6/29/2026 9:55 AM via Transferred Out (Douglas County).

Guffin, Augaio — Released 6/29/2026 10:29 AM via Own Recognizance (Self).

Hogan, Sean Charles — Released 6/29/2026 10:39 AM via Surety Bond (Self).

Long, Robert Franklin — Released 6/29/2026 10:55 AM via Surety Bond (Self).

Total Inmates Released: 4

Documents:

• 6-30-26_A.pdf
• 6-30-26_R.pdf

On June 29, the three members of the committee seeking to recall Bourbon County Clerk Susan Walker filed a reply urging the judge to let them rejoin the lawsuit they had previously been dismissed from, so they can defend the petition they started. The lawsuit is one Walker brought to block the recall.

The filing (from Kyle R. Parks, Kevin Wagner, and Lyle K. Owenby, represented by Wichita attorney Patrick B. Hughes) answers Walker’s objection to their request to “intervene,” or formally join the case. Their core argument: Walker’s own response “confirms, rather than defeats, the basis for intervention.”

The members’ filing makes several points:

• They are joining as individuals, not as a “recall committee,” so Walker’s argument that a committee cannot sue or be sued does not apply. Walker, they note, concedes that “as individuals, they have that capacity.”
• Even though Walker’s amended lawsuit no longer names them, it still asks the court to declare their petition invalid and to block any recall election — which, as a practical matter, affects them under K.S.A. 60-224, the state law on joining a lawsuit.
• As the people who signed and filed the petition, they have a specific interest “no other Bourbon County resident” shares — a role K.S.A. 25-4322 assigns to the recall committee.
• County Attorney James Crux, the official Walker sued, cannot stand in for them, because he cannot raise their own free-speech and petition defense under the Kansas Public Speech Protection Act (K.S.A. 60-5320).

As a practical matter, the fact that they are no longer a party to the lawsuit prevents the committee members from trying to get Walker to pay for their legal fees, something they had previously requested. The anti-SLAPP fee provision (K.S.A. 60-5320(g)) they invoked would require them to be a party to the lawsuit from which they were dismissed on May 29.

The judge has not ruled on the request to rejoin or on the petition’s validity. The case is in its scheduling stage, and organizers have until July 26 to gather the roughly 2,374 signatures required to put the recall on a ballot.

Being named in a lawsuit is not a finding of wrongdoing, and the filings described here reflect each party’s arguments, not the court’s conclusions. FortScott.biz will continue to follow the case.

Timeline and documents

For readers who want the fuller history, here are the key filings and our prior coverage, in order:

• May 22, 2026 — Walker sues County Attorney Crux and the three committee members. (Our story)
• May 28, 2026 — Walker narrows the suit and drops the committee members. (Our story · amended petition)
• May 29, 2026 — The committee is dismissed; member Wagner fights back. (Our story)
• June 9, 2026 — The three members move to intervene and seek to dismiss the suit. (Our story)
• June 18, 2026 — County Attorney Crux consents to the members joining.
• June 23, 2026 — Crux files his answer and a motion for judgment on the pleadings; Walker opposes the members joining.
• June 29, 2026 — The committee files its reply in support of joining the case. (newest filing)

Background: the recall petition and the clerk’s public statement on the recall.

Read the newest filing: Kyle R. Parks, Kevin Wagner and Lyle K. Owenby’s Reply in Support of Motion to Intervene (PDF), filed June 29, 2026 in Bourbon County District Court, Case No. BB-2026-CV-000048.

Bourbon County Commission Meeting Agenda Outline

Agenda 06.29.26

• Meeting Date & Time: June 29, 2026, at 5:30 PM (Page 1)

• Location: 210 S National Avenue, Fort Scott, KS 66701 (Page 1)

Agenda Items

1. Call Meeting to Order (Page 1)

2. Pledge of Allegiance (Page 1)

3. Prayer – Commissioner Motley (Page 1)

4. Introductions (Page 1)

5. Approval of Agenda (Page 1)

6. Approval of Minutes (Page 1)

   • a. June 15, 2026 (Page 1)

   • b. May 11, 2026 (Revised) (Page 1)

   • c. April 13, 2026 (Revised) (Page 1)

7. Approval of Accounts Payable (06/18/26): $83,374.82 (Page 1)

8. Approval of Accounts Payable (06/26/26): $453,809.91 (Page 1)

9. Approval of May 2026 Financials (Page 1)

10. Special Appearances (Page 1)

11. Public Comments (Page 1)

12. Department Updates (Page 1)

13. Old Business (Page 1)

    • a. Jarred Gilmore Phillips 2026 Audit Engagement (Page 1)

    • b. SEK Juvenile Detention Center Discussion (Page 1)

    • c. American Flag Purchase (Page 1)

    • d. Procedures for Adopting Resolutions (Page 1)

14. New Business (Page 1)

    • a. Statement/Discussion – Commissioner Allen (Page 1)

    • b. Fund Resolution – Commissioner Milburn (Page 1)

    • c. Resolution 25-26: Cancellation of Warrant Checks – Walker (Page 1)

    • d. Heartland Business Licenses Annual Billing (Page 1)

15. Future Agenda Topics (Page 1)

16. Commission Comments (Page 1)

17. Adjournment (Page 1)

Note: A public works budget work session will take place immediately following the commission meeting. (Page 1)

Detailed Summary of Information Packet

1. Past Meeting Minutes Summaries

June 15, 2026 Meeting Minutes

• Attendance & Logistics: Chaired by Samuel Tran. Commissioners David Beerbower, Joe Allen, Gregg Motley, and Mike Milburn-Kee were present alongside County Clerk Susan Walker. (Page 1)

• Agenda Modifications: The agenda was rearranged to address time-sensitive items, adding KDWP to Special Appearances, a Hidden Valley Road item, and removing an MOU Grant discussion. (Page 1-2)

• Accounts Payable & Payroll: Approved batches for June 5 ($184,461.59, withholding two disputed vendor checks) and June 12 ($833,269.76). Supplemental payrolls were also approved to correct a supervisor hours-entry error. (Page 2, 4)

• Hidden Valley Road Resolution: Public Works Director Kenny Allen and County Counsel verified that the Hidden Valley subdivision roadways are private infrastructure, do not meet county safety or engineering standards, and have never been formally accepted by the county. Resolution 23-26 was passed to formally decline taking over road network maintenance, capping substantial liability concerns. (Page 2-3)

• Public Comments: INA Alert presented a security and facial-recognition camera system breakdown with free site evaluations. Local resident Mark Warren raised localized standing water and missing side ditch drainage issues near Uniontown and Redfield. (Page 3-4)

• Minutes Formatting Debate: Chair Tran critiqued current AI-generated minutes for subjective language (e.g., “push back gently”). Clerk Walker defended that she runs raw long-form formats to meet detail requests without adding editorial slant. (Page 4)

• Elm Creek Lake Grant: The commission passed a motion to formally terminate a stagnant five-year-old Elm Creek Lake renovation grant. Biologist Don George (KDWP) noted the original $121,000 cost estimate to repair the dam hole inflated massively, requiring an engineer re-evaluation before a target May 2027 grant cycle. (Page 4-5)

• Comprehensive Plan: Following competitive interviews, the Planning Commission recommended hiring Confluence for a total of $152,000 ($105,500 for the Plan; $46,500 for Zoning Code regulations). The motion passed 4-0 (Motley abstained). (Page 5-6)

• Election Request Dispute: A motion by Commissioner Milburn-Kee to deny the Clerk’s use of the Commission Room for 2026 election cycles failed (3-2). A subsequent motion to approve the space use and transit support passed 3-2. (Page 6)

• Moratorium Resolution: The board passed Resolution 24-26 (3-0, Allen and Motley abstained) enacting a 365-day freeze on utility-scale power setups, crypto mining, data centers, and waste sites, grandfathering three previously exempted solar facilities. (Page 7-8)

May 11, 2026 Meeting Minutes

• Public Comments (Meals on Wheels): Michael Hoyt warned that federal defunding hit regional aging agencies hard, freezing new enrollments for standard mobile meal deliveries. He urged local budget steps to preserve safety checks for senior populations. (Page 10)

• Check-Signing Authority Clash: County Attorney James Crux publicly cited late employee pay cycles caused by a communication breakdown over unsigned checks. Seeking rules accuracy, Chair Tran shifted checking signatures to Commissioner Allen moving forward. (Page 10-11)

• Clerk Software Lockout: An internal dispute arose after Clerk Walker had her “SecureView” payroll report access revoked due to administrative over-exposure concerns. Intermediary data sharing was labeled inefficient by dissenters, and a motion to restore direct read-only access failed 3-2. (Page 11-12)

April 13, 2026 Meeting Minutes

• Economic Development: Fort Scott City Manager updated the board on manufacturing building sales projected to create hundreds of jobs starting in early 2027. (Page 13)

• Employee Rights Outcry: Nearly half the county workforce attended to protest retroactive adjustments to tenure dates and altered leave records after a December 2025 platform shift. Employees described losing up to 16 years of recognized service credit. In response, the commission ordered immediate employee system visibility features to restore transparency. (Page 14-15)

2. Financial Documents & Open Invoice Summaries

Accounts Payable Ledger – Due June 18, 2026

A grand total of $83,374.82 across 70 invoices was processed for this cycle. Significant breakdowns by department include:

• District Court (Dept. 10): $17,054.00, anchored by a 40% initial deposit ($15,324.00) to McClelland Inc. for a Courtroom A audio infrastructure upgrade. (Page 8)

• Courthouse General (Dept. 43): $13,379.74, including building utility bills from Evergy and a $7,503.36 regular elevator service fee to Kone Inc. (Page 12)

• Road & Bridge Sales Tax Fund (Fund 222): $12,455.80, heavily driven by an $11,257.15 charge from Kunshek Chat and Coal Co. for sand hauling. (Page 3)

• Juvenile Detention (Dept. 18): $11,347.00, matching fixed monthly detention system expenses paid out to the SEK Regional Center. (Page 10)

• Landfill (Fund 108): $10,652.41, paid entirely to Allen County Public Works for regional waste operations. (Page 2)

Accounts Payable Ledger – Due June 26, 2026

This batch notes a larger volume of operational entries, totaling $453,809.91, primarily tracking payroll runs, clearing accounts, and equipment support:

• Employee Benefits (Fund 064): $35,424.17 allocated across employee social security withholdings ($14,685.08) and comprehensive KPERS retirement pools ($19,375.17). (Page 4)

• County Sheriff & Correctional (Fund 120): $81,313.55, tracking department base wages alongside distinct items like building contract needs, Vertiv system components ($6,581.12), and regional inmate health expenses ($7,966.27). (Page 6-7)

• Mental Disability Support (Fund 116): A $13,750.00 regular quarterly funding appropriation assigned to the Tri-Valley Developmental Center. (Page 6)

• Road and Bridge Machinery (Fund 220): Detailed hardware invoices from Murphy Tractor & Equipment Co. covering heavy motor, hydraulic drives, and custom equipment maintenance. (Page 7-8)